Welding helmets are a type of headgear used while performing welding in order to protect you from harmful radiations emitted during the process; welding helmets also protect your face, neck against the flame and flashes generated during the welding.Best welding helmet is necessary for the protection of your eyes, as the unprotected exposure to radiations emitted can inflame your eye cornea, which in turn causes arc eye. The radiations emitted could also burn your retina, which can lead to loss of your vision. Welding can also lead to skin burns as radiations emitted may also affect your skin.

History of Auto Darkening Welding Helmet

The above points indicate that welding helmets are an important piece of safety devices that welder uses. Welding helmets first introduced in 1937 having a window covered with a filter to enable welder to use. The lens used in the window is generally made of polarized lenses having variable density. But the limitations of these lenses is that they were unable to provide enough filter for UV radiations, not able to provide sufficient darkening or sometimes it becomes so dark that it blinds the user. So, in order to overcome these issues auto – darkening helmets were introduced in 1981.

As mentioned earlier auto darkening welding helmet were introduced in 1981 by a Swedish manufacturer. The window in the welding helmets has been replaced by the electronic LCD shutter in auto darkening helmets. The LCD shutter has sensors which sense the intensity of light and provide auto darkening on the basis of that intensity. Along with it many other features were introduced as compared to the traditional helmets, which will be described below.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;img src="http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q632/jonesweldinghelmet/welding-helmet-1942-double_zps460y8kxn.jpg" alt="History of welding helmet" width="800" height="326"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; The very first welding masks in 1942

Jackson Safety BH3 Auto darkening filter lens (ADF) has the best EN379 ratings (1/1/1/1) for optical clarity, diffusion of light, variation of luminous transmittance, and angular dependence, so the welder can see clearly at different angles

The Jackson Safety ADF has a variable shade range from 9 to 13 to help shield and protect the wearer's eyes from radiant energy during welding (mig welding, tig welding, arc welding); is equipped with sensitivity and delay settings for adaptability for different environments and task durations

If you are looking for an all-around, high-quality, and comfortable-to-use type of helmet, then you do not have to look further. The Jackson Safety W70 BH3 is your best bet.Here are the advantages of owning a Jackson Safety W70 BH3:– High Quality, Durable, and more importantly, meets the requirements of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). It has built-in protection for the head, and can easily detect fumes in the air you breathe.– Uses an auto darkening lens filter which has the best ratings for optical quality– It is light-weight, at about half a kilogram. This prevents stress injuries like stiff neck.– It is Solar-Powered making it lighter and more convenient to use.– It is easy-to-use and glove-friendly.The only glaring downside of this helmet is the price, as it is costlier compared to others.

The Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 is the helmet of choice for those wanting to upgrade from their entry-level welding helmets. Here are the reasons to upgrade to this helmet:–It is comfortable to wear because of the Superior Suspension system that it employs.–It has a wider lens ideal for working on awkward angles.–It is equipped with sensors that make auto-darkening adjustments easy to set-up for your convenience.There are a lot more benefits, but one outstanding advantage is the three-year warranty it has put the buyer’s mind at ease about purchasing the product. The negative comments on the product though is that it is heavier. Some also find it tedious to adjust the screws of the head gear to make for a perfect fit.

If you are looking for a welding helmet best-suited for professional use, then you are in luck with the 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100. This helmet makes it easy for wearers to switch to different types of techniques in seconds! It is also very comfortable to use.Here are the other advantages:– It is very durable making it ideal for industrial use.– Saves you time. You do not have to toss this helmet up and down to check on your work because of its Automatic Darkening Feature.– User-friendly. No rocket science involved in operating the helmet, and even new welders and hobbyists will find it easy to use.The only downside in buying the 3M Speedglas Welding Helmet 9100 is its price, and that it operates on lithium batteries versus solar power, which is the most ideal source of energy for helmets.

If you are a hobbyist with not that huge of a budget to spare, then the Miller 251292 Classic Series is the helmet for you. It could just be the Best Entry Level Welding Helmet in the market.For less than a hundred dollars, you will get to own a helmet that has an auto-darkening feature, solar-powered, and at the same time very easy to use. Here are the other advantages:– It is light-weight.– It has a great sensitivity and delay adjustment that can be programmed by the user.– The viewing area is great even for awkward angles.– Has a two-year warranty.The disadvantage of this helmet though is that it is not for industrial use. The solar panel cannot operate as well during nighttime so it should be fully-charged all the time so that the batteries would not get drained out.

A good welding helmet for hobbyists, the Rhino Large View Carbon Fiber RH01 is a great, durable, and affordable alternative to the more expensive and industrial-type of helmet. In fact they say it is one of the most durable entry-level welding helmet in the market today.Its other positive features include:– Provides a large view field.– It is very easy-to-use. The settings of the helmet are easier to adjust.– It has a larger room so if you need to use a bifocal lens, or a respirator you can easily find a space for it while using this helmet.– Flexible and Lightweight.The only downside of this product is that it is not suitable for overhead welding and the headgear know loosens up easily.

This welding helmet may appeal to the younger set of welders simply because of its more innovative and unique outer design — a departure from the usual black or grey helmets.The stand-out features though do not end there. It has an auto darkening feature that can be easily turned off; gives the welder a wider viewing field; and is very ergonomic.Here are the other advantages:– It has a fast auto-darkening feature.– Unlike other entry-level helmets, it has a grinding mode.– It is solar powered.The only thing that makes other buyers hesitant about purchasing this product is that the design makes it harder for the owner to find replacement lenses once scratched. There, however, is a work-around here: some use other brands of lens as a replacement.

Best Welding Helmet Brands

Lincoln Electric Auto Darkening Welding Helmets

A widespread brand name is “Lincoln” welding helmet. The “Lincoln Electric’ was starting its journey in Cleveland and became a renowned brand identity in development and manufacture of arc welding products. Viking series welding helmet is the top ones among “Lincoln Electronics”. The best three features that attracts me most

Runs on solar power without switches or recharge trouble.

Suits your style having various designs with solid metal finish and headgear packed with foam.

Gives comfortable breathing with improved air purification system.

Beside this, it has also many additional catchy facilities. The future generations Viking helmets enables hyper comfort with the top notch optical clarity. Providing a massive warranty of three-year, the helmets are manufactured to handle any critical working environment.

Jackson Auto Darkening Welding Helmets

It’s about almost 75 years but the attraction of Jackson welding helmets have not faded yet. The desire of having Jackson helmets are common among men and women. There is a simple idea behind the all Jackson Safety welding helmets popularity

Extraordinary viewing lenses with auto darkening balder technology.

Maximum optical clarity.

Exceptional ADF feature includes a puddle for smooth view in any angle.

Innovative technological features of safety caps and durability.

A complete standard set of shield protects the welders head, face, eye and ear.

Attractive color ranges.

Gives a long-lasting trust with 5 year lens warranty.

Basically when you provide the best products with trust then people are excited to buy the helmets at once. And work safe and sound in the welding arc. All of our product fulfills the ANSI standard and even accomplish the CSA & CE standard criteria for the usage in Canada and Europe.

Optrel Auto Darkening Welding Helmets

Optrel Welding Helmet has held a significant place among the top welding manufacture industry. This helmet brand is prevalent because of its unique feature as gives auto darkening protection during the welding. Despite that it permits welder to delay the opening of auto darkening filters.

The grinding mode feature allows the welder to work with ease, grinding mode option helps to prevent the darkening in the period of welding. And the newest feature of reducing the detection angle to prevent the automatic response of auto darkening filters in the arc from the neighboring welders.

Optrel can be considered as one rare brand that support overhead welding.

Variable Shade v/s Fixed Shade

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The shade numbers of the lens tell us the ability of the lens to filter light. A shade level is selected according to the welding process and amperage. Cause everyone’s eyes are different, the shade level also depends on the welder’s eyes and age.

Fixed Shade

Fixed Shade Helmets are cheaper but inconvenient.

You need to remove helmet each time to check the quality of the weld.

You will have to put the torch at the welding position before putting on the Helmet.

Variable Shade

Variable Shade Helmets are more expensive but with auto darkening features it improves your comfort level and convenience.

You don’t have to buy each helmet for every application you are working with, just adjust the lens inside or outside the helmet

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Auto Darkening Lenses v/s Passive Darkening Lenses

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Auto Darkening lenses

Auto darkening lenses get dark as soon as your welding starts and becomes clearer as when you turn off the torch thanks to the LCD technology.

Convenient for beginners as the visibility of your torch doesn’t get distorted.

More Convenient as you need not take/flip off the helmet to see your work.

Passive Darkening Lenses

Passive darkening lenses are colored lenses which don’t change colors to the arc sparks thus you need to remove helmet every time to see the weld or change the lens when you work with new application. These passive lens are usually in a #10 shade and have ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) coatings.

You may find it tough due to the distortion of the torch.

You need to take/flip off the helmet to check the quality of weld as the lens don’t change shade during the operation.

Passive darkening lenses are cheaper as compared to Auto Darkening Lenses and more durable since they are just simple glasses.

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Non-Replaceable Batteries v/s Replaceable Batteries

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Replaceable Batteries

They are made of lithium, which are light thus considerably reduces your helmet weight.

They can be changed anytime anywhere without affecting your work.

With Replaceable batteries, it the battery drains out you need notto buy the new helmet.

You need to turn off & turn on the helmets manually to save the batteries.

Battery powered helmets are heavy.

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External knobs v/s Internal knobs

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External knobs

The External knobs are on the outside of your helmet so you can easily adjust it without removing your helmet.

The major drawback you face with external knobs is that it is hard for you to work in confine area like under car or narrow part as the outside environment can change it accidentally.

Internal knobs

The internal knob is placed on the inside of the helmet so you have to remove the helmet every time you need to adjust it.

The internal knob is placed on the inside of the helmet so you have to remove the helmet every time you need to adjust it.

ou will not face any accidental change in the adjustments while working in a narrow region.

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Important notes you need to know

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Respirator equipped – During the Welding process fine particles, smoke or poisonous gases are released which might cause you headaches, nausea etc. which if you ignore might lead to serious illness. Blower filter units with gas and /or particle filters or systems with a central air supply can be used to minimise the risks of respiratory problems.

Grinding mode– If your helmet has this function, it means that the auto darkening feature can be fixed in the light state for the duration of your grinding process as this prevents the filter from darkening due to flashes while grinding.

Overhead welding – Sometimes due to the limitation of the welding material or application you might have to go for Overhead Welding. So, your helmet should be sturdy enough to protect you from the molten metal or sparks along with the proper view of Welding Torch.

Safety Standards – You should always choose a helmet, which has been marked/approved by the American National Standards Institute and Society of safety Engineers for welding Helmets. As the mark approves that it has been tested and passed from various test and provides the guarantee of authenticated manufacturer.

Light Weight– With lighter helmets combine with a comfortable headgear, stress injuries will be reduced, no dropping of head due to helmet weight, light weight provides easy motion of your head, a good helmet should weigh around 500-800 grams.

Viewing Area – Different welding processes have different positions and viewing area depends upon your welding position. So, always choose a helmet, which provides you a larger viewing area for your welding positions.

Reaction Time – Reaction time is the time taken by lenses to switch from darkened state to a normal state or vice versa. Too slow or high speed leads to eye fatigue. So, you can adjust the reaction time as per your comfort level thus reducing eye fatigue.

Numbers of Sensors – The sensors fitted in the ADF detect when an arc is struck. When this happens, the sensors transmit a signal to the electronics which then activate the LCDs. You can count the number of arc sensors on the welding helmet. Generally the basic and cheap auto-darkening helmets will have only one or two arc sensors, while premium and expensive models of helmets mostly have four arc sensors. As with more arc sensors, there is less chance that the helmet will fail to darken as required. When it come to hard welding positions, less chance your helmet will be blocked from arc spark.

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The helpful tips for choosing the best welding helmet

As we all the welding helmets are not built equally. So, selecting an appropriate welding helmet sometimes could be a daunting task. So, here we have mentioned some tips n tricks to help you select a best helmet.

Don’t Go Too Cheap

There are lots of cheap welding helmets in the market today, but for beginners it is not recommended to go helmets with least price. There is an inverse relationship between the quality and price. Everybody wants to save the money, but it is not a wise decision to go overboard here and feel disappointed in the end.

Don’t Overpay for a Welding Helmet

There are lots of costly welding helmets in the market. For normal welding works, you don’t need a helmet that costly. You should look to buy a good beginners welding helmet. Until you want to upgrade quality in the future. But remember that, some of the cheap welding helmet are made flimsy and may break on you eventually. So, welding helmet has to be chosen sincerely.

Figure out Your Needs

To buy a welding helmet, at first you need to figure out your need. Make a list of most important features you are expecting from your welding helmet. Consider what you want and what you don’t want in your welding helmet and make a list about it. These findings will help you in your selection. But, remember that you need not go far with the list, as number of options makes the selection procedure tough. You should identify the important features you need.

Try to Buy Your Welding Helmet Online

It’s cheaper to buy welding helmet online. It’s not only cheaper, but they also sometimes offer free shipping and discounts. Further, you will not have to pay taxes on online transactions.

Set Your Budget

After figuring out the needs, you need to set a specific budget for your welding helmet. So, while choosing a right welding helmet always keep the cost factor in mind. As the specifications/features increase the cost of the helmet also increases.

After the very meticulous exercise of choosing the right helmet, the next thing a welder should do is to ensure that the welding helmet functions well, and remains in great shape. Reliable welding helmets do not come cheap, and so it makes better sense for a welder to take good care of it. After all it would be best if the welder could have some sort of ‘return on investment’ for the purchase of his welding helmet. After all, the welding helmet is not just a simple tool for a welder – instead it is a significant part of his job – a critical partner that ensures that he gets to do his job safely. Much like a wingman –that helps him get the job done without him getting hurt or injured. And although a welding helmet’s main function is to protect the welder’s face especially his eyes, the helmet will no longer be efficient in its job of protecting the welder if it is no longer in its tip-top shape. Scratches, cracks, over-use from daily wear and tear, ill-maintenance, and non-replacement of parts that need to be replaced regularly cause damage not just too the helmet, but also to the welder’s health as well.

Keep it somewhere safe when not in use. Make sure to keep your helmet in a safe place when you are not using it. Do not put it in areas where it might fall off, gather too much dust, and get wet. Also, it should definitely be kept out of children’s reach.

Protect the helmet while in transit. Carry your welding helmet in a bag that could protect it from scratches while transporting it from one job site to another. It is important that it does not get damaged from being accidentally scratched, or from rubbing with other welding tools or hard objects while you are travelling. And although there are bags especially made to transport welding-helmets, you do not need to purchase one if your budget does not allow you to. You may use any ordinary bag but just make sure there is enough protection in the lens area of the helmet.

Clean it up after use. Cleaning up your welding helmet by simply wiping it down, helps you keep it in good shape. The helmet has been exposed to dust and chemicals the whole day, and it would be best to wipe those off after using it. Make sure to clean the lenses inside and out.

Inspect your helmet. Regularly check your helmet’s condition. You may do so at a certain day of the week, so you will not forget. Check if anything needs replacement, if everything functions well, if there are cracks, scratches or any type of damage that may affect its performance. Regularly monitoring your helmet puts you one step ahead of possible helmet damage or injury.

Use only recommended cleaning products. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners and sprays not meant for cleaning your helmet. Do not use abrasive cloths that might scratch the helmet’s surface especially the lenses. Follow the manufacturer’s guide on what type of cleansers and cleaning materials can be used to clean it.

Read the Manual. Some helmet owners make the huge mistake of not reading through the manual where safe cleaning guidelines and procedures are detailed. Do yourself and your helmet a favor -- read the cleaning instructions for the helmet, and follow it to the letter.

Regularly check the condition of the lenses. Replace the lenses regularly not just to make sure that your helmet is in tip-top shape, but also to ensure that your eyes remain well-protected. When the lens coating is damaged, harmful light may reach the eye, exposing it to possible dangerous eye conditions and injuries.

Regularly replace parts to make sure that the helmet will continue to provide you with optimal protection. The manual will most likely have a guideline on when to replace your helmet parts so as to ensure efficient helmet functionality, especially by the lenses and the filters. If there is none, you may want to give your helmet manufacturer a call to find out, or visit their company website.

Have spare lenses at hand. It would be great not to have to go to the store every now and then just to buy replacement lenses. If you have replacement lens at hand you get to ensure that the helmet is properly maintained, and your eyes will remain constantly protected.

Replace sweatbands regularly. Sweatbands should be replaced on a regular basis especially if you are welding under the sun or outdoors.

Revco GB100 BSX Extreme Gear Pack with HelmetCatchThe best solution for traveling with your welding gear. Made of high-quality materials and equipped with Quick-Action HelmetCatch, this gear pack is really suitable for heavy duty and long lasting application.

Revco BC5W-BK Black BSX Welding with Red Flames and LogoBest welding cap on the market which will protect your neck and collar area from welding spark. With double-layered structure and sturdy cotton material, this is a must have in your welding safety gear.

BLACK STALLION BSX® FR Welding Jacket – Black w/Red Flames – XXLTop welding coat made with two pockets inside, this is made of cotton but sturdy as leather and super light-weight. Be sure about your size before purchase new one.

Steiner 21923 Welding Gloves, Burnt orange Y-Series 23-Inch Length Shoulder Split Cowhide, Foam Lined, LargeIf you are looking for cowhide leather gloves then you can buy this one without a doubt, You can pick up small items easily and still have your arms full protected.

This goggle is made of hard plastic and it is really durable. While working under hot enviroment like in workshop, the ventilation on the side of the eye piece will prevent fog building during the application and increase your performance.